Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-23
THE INTER.STATE COMMISSION.
Sketches Of Its Members and n Svnop.
SIS OF the Law Establishing 1t.
WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THE APPOINTMENTS.


pointed for term because he made great
nnanclal sacrifice TO accept the position but Mr..
Morrison VIII probably be elected by the commits
S!onerS 10 De their president. MeSSrS. Cooley,
Morrison and Bragg have, for some time, been
spoken OF as likely to go on the commission, but
Ine @ zap appointment of Judge SchOOnmaker and Mr..
never Was spoken OF In connection with the COM
nus MISSION @ untl! named by Senator Edmunds, who. al
the Presldents request, called at the White House
1Or consultation on the subject.
THE COMMISSIONS SIGNED.
The commissions OF the Interstate commission
ers have been signed by the President and were
ready 10 be sent to the respective commissioners
late this afternoon.
1t Is expected that the commissioners will meet
In washington and organize at the earliest date
practicable, as the law, by its own provision must
go INTO elect On the 4th OF next month.
TALK WITH COMMISSIONER MORRISON.
Ex-Representative Morrison told STAR reporter
this morning that as far as he knew there was no
Other member of the commission in the city. There
fore he could not tell when they would meet OF
how organize. He said he supposed, however
that they would all be here In day or two and
make me necessary arrangements for entering up
on Ihelr dut1es, as they had but little time before
them. 1t was not known beforehand how the
commission was to be composed, so there could be
no previous arrangement for a meeting.
COMMENTS ON THE APPOINTMENTS.
The composition Of the Interstate commission
as general thing seems to give satisfaction.
Some or the republicans object to the appoint
ment OF Judge Cooley one of the representatives
O1 tne1r party, saying that he has not been In ac-
cord with the republican party for some years
But as rule the selection OF Judge Cooley is
highly commended by leading men Of both par
ties.
REPRESENTATIVE HEARD THINKS 1T GOOD COMMIs-
SION.
Representative Heard, OF Missouri. expressed the
opinion to STAR reporter to-day that the men Sc
lected by the President would make an excellent
Interstate commerce commission "In factn he
said, 81 can see no flaw in the commission. Nor
rfson and Cooley are men of great ability, known
oy every one throughout the country. Schoon-
maker, you know, Is very highly thought of. You
know who he is. Bragg is thoroughly educated in
the business and well suited TO the position.
Walker, don't know anything about, but the fact
makes it certain that he is good
man. He would not have taken the
responsibility OF his appointment otherwise.
one OF the commissioners an element Of strength.
or course, we would have liked a man from our
broad region, but Mr.. Morrison is just as much
from Missouri as he lived on the west side OF the
river. He Is as strong In the state as any man
who lives In it, His appointment win be SatiSrac-
tory 10 all the region west or the Mississippi
WHAT REPRESENTATIVE MATsoN SAYS.
Representative Matson, when asked by a STAR
reporter as to what he thought OF the Interstate
Commissioners, replied: 'sThey are good men, so
u.
expect upon the whole the President has done
about the best he could" MIR. Matson said he had
been surprised to hear that IL was proposed to
make Judge Cooley, republican, chairman OF The
commission. He said he had supposed democrat
would be made chairman, and he had regarded Mr..
Morrison as the proper man for the place.
SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS
generally express satisfaction at the selection of
Nj. w. L. Bragg. He was cordially endorsed for
the place by many OF the southern Congressman.
bama, Mr.. Bragg administered the Office so as to
win the confidence OF the people ne served. When
the bill was pending in the Senate, Mr.. Cullom
wrote to the different state commissions, asking
for Information as to the workings OF the several
commissions, for suggestions, etc. He said that
the report sent him by Commissioner Bragg was
the most comprehensive and satisfactory one that
was received.
PERSONAL SELECTION By THE PRESIDENT.
Mr. Schoonmaker, it is said, was a personal Sc
lection OF the President. He was a trusted friend
OF the late Gov. Tiden, and has long had the con-
hdence OF President Cleveland. He has held var1-
GUS public positions In New York, and has filled
them With credit 10 himself.
THE PRESIDENCY OF THE CONFESSION.
STAR reporter was informed by prominent
democrat that Judge Cooley Is to be president of
the commission. "He will be nominated for presi-
dent OF the commission by Mr.. Morrison" said
THE STARS informant. II is understood tnat the
selection OF Judge Cooley for chairman OF
the commission Will accord with the wishes OF the
President. and that so far the views of the COM
mlSs1OnerS are known they recognize the eminent
qualifications OF Judge Cooley for the position He
Is an able lawyer and just, and has had practical
experience In railroad matters.
CLERKS TO BE APPOINTED.
The commission will have some good clerkships
to dispose OF, and there are already quite a num-
ber OF applicants for these places 1t Is within the
discretion Of the commission to fix the number of
clerical and other assistants needed. Commissioner
Bragg returned to his home in Alabama a few days
ago. having been assured that he would be ap-
pointed. 1t is said that he has friend whom he
desires to have appointed as clerk, and the I'M
preston Is that each commissioner will be per-
United to make personal appointment as his pri-
Vate and confidential secretary.
SKETCHES OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
Thomas NJ. Cooley was born at Attica, NY, In
1924, studied law in that state and removed to
Michigan in 1S43 where he has since resided. In
1857 he was elected compiler of the state laws,
and in 1858 reporter OF the supreme court. In
1859 he was chosen by the regents as commits
siOner TO organize the law department of the Uni
yersty OF Michigan, and he has ever since been
connected with It. In 1854 he was elected Justice
and in 1877 he was nominated by the republicans
for reelection in 1885, and was defeated. MIR.
Cooley Is the author OF numerous standard legal
works. He was recently appointed by United
States Judge Gresham receiver OF the Wabash
Railroad Co.
W: R. Morrison everybody knows as the great
tarin refoFmer Of the House. He was born in
Monroe county, ILL.,, september IA, 1926, studied in
the common schools and at McEndree college, and
was admitted to the bar in 1855. He was private
In the Mexican war, and commanded the 49th nli-
noiS regiment in the war OF the rebellion. Mr..
MOrr1SOn served in the Illinois legislature from
1854 TO 1860, and was elected to Congress in 1862
Being defeated for Congress in 1864 and 1866, he
served again In the state legislature in 1S7O-71,
and was again reelected to Congress in 1872 and
1874. He was made chairman OF the ways and
means committee by speaker Kerr in 1875 Since
tnen ne mas Deen conspicuous advocate In Con-
greSS OF reduction OF tariff duties andfn the Forty
eighth Congress, having been made chairman Of
nsie ne served as chairman OF the ways and means
committee In the House during the Forty ninth
Congress and was defeated for the F1ft1eth Con-
gress by Jehu Baker.
Aldace F. Walker is a Vermont lawyer, about A
years Old. republican in politics, who studied
law with Senator Edmunds, served as colonel in
the Union army, and has since then pract1ced law
al Rutland. In the Vermont senate he has taken
leading part in framing legislation to solve the
railway problem, and has given much study to the
question.
Judge August schoonmaker is now member Of
ne was born In Ulster county, N. Y, March 2,
1SsS, and Is lawyer in active practice. he has
always been democrat in politics He has been
county Judge OF his county and the candidate OF
his party for supreme court judge. He was state
senator during Gov. Ttlden's term governor, and
was one Of the leaders in the legislature on whom
MI T1lden relied to carry out his reform measures
he was also close personal political friend OF MI.
I1lden. Mr.. SchOOnmaker was attorney general OF
New York state in 1873 and 1879, succeeding MIR.
Ea1rchld the present acting secretary OF the
Treasury. In 1870 he was presented by the anti
cratic state convention their candidate for gov
ern0f, and was delegate to the democratic